Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 445,235	$ 691,429	$ 918,889	$ 515,250	$ 415,075	$ 645,779	$ 851,855	$ 450,430	$ 2,570,803	$ 2,363,139	$ 2,246,562
Gross profit	127,777	199,551	270,736	143,023	118,295	184,288	248,260	124,801	741,087	675,644	643,340
Net income	2,572	44,421	85,247	16,363	2,579	39,403	77,809	8,433	148,603	128,224	111,030
Net income attributable to Pool Corporation	$ 2,615	$ 44,534	$ 85,435	$ 16,371	$ 2,486	$ 39,447	$ 77,924	$ 8,419	$ 148,955	$ 128,275	$ 110,692
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 1.06	$ 2.03	$ 0.39	$ 0.06	$ 0.92	$ 1.80	$ 0.19	$ 3.56	$ 2.98	$ 2.50
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 1.03	$ 1.98	$ 0.38	$ 0.06	$ 0.90	$ 1.75	$ 0.19	$ 3.47	$ 2.90	$ 2.44